Most of the treks described in this book last several weeks, but one of the attractions of the Pokhara region is the opportunity to make short treks ranging from a few hours to a week. If you don’t have time for one of the longer treks, or don’t think you are ready for one, you can cobble together an interesting trek from parts of longer treks. Many fine short treks begin and end near Pokhara. You can reach the starting point of these treks with a short journey by bus or taxi. Try one of the following.
Annapurna Panorama
Duration 6 days
Max Elevation 2840m
Standard easy-medium
Season October to May
Start Naya Pul
Finish Phedi
Summary After a stiff dimb to Ghorapani and great views of Dhaulagiri and Annapurna, this trek returns through Ghandruk, a large Gurung village and headquarters of ACAP.
THE TREK
Day 1: Naya Pul to Tikhedhunga
3- 4 hours, 540m ascent
Start from Naya Pul, about an hour’s drive from Pokhara, and trek to Birethanti and Tikhedhunga, following Day 1 of the Jomsom trek .
Day 2: Tikhedhunga to Ghorapani
4- 6 hours, 1360m ascent
Follow Day 1 of the Jomsom trek, climbing the stone staircase to Ulleri, then climbing through forests to the Ghorapani pass at Deorali.
Day 3: Ghorapani to Tadapani
5- 6 hours, 550m descent, 710m ascent Follow the Day route of the Ghorapani to Ghandruk trek.
Day 4: Tadapani to Ghandruk
2-3 hours, 720m descent A short day, continuing to follow the Ghorapani to Ghandruk trek, arriving in Ghandruk in time to visit the ACAP visitor centre.
Day 5: Ghandruk to Tolka
2-3 hours, 670m descent, 480m ascent Descend to the Modi Khola, climb to Landruk and on to Tolka.
Day 6: Tolka to Phedi
3-4 hours, 370 ascent, 1030m descent Follow Day 1 of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek in reverse.
Ghandruk Loop
Duration 3 days
Max Elevation 1970m
Standard easy
Season October to May
Start Phedi
Finish Naya Pul
Summary The shortest trek in. this book, offering good mountain views, forests, birds and glimpses of traditional village life.
THE TREK
Day 1: Phedi to Tolka
4-5 hours, 1030 ascent, 370m descent Follow Day 1 of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek to Tolka.
Day 2: Tolka to Ghandruk
4-5 hours, 480m descent, 670m ascent Trek to Landruk and drop down on a stone staircase to the Modi Khola at 1315m. It’s a long climb up a rough stone staircase – with high steps – past the Beehive View Guest House to the tiny settlement of Yumle. There is a teashop here, and there are a few more as you climb to Ghandruk at 1970m.
Day 3: Ghandruk to Naya Pul
4-5 hours, 1000m descent Follow the clearly defined trail south from Ghandruk to Birethanti. Walk to Naya Pul for transport back to Pokhara.
Tatopani Loop
Duration 6 days
Max Elevation 2840m
Standard easy-medium
Season October to May
Start Phedi
Finish Beni
Summary Features Gurung villages, mountain views from Ghorapani and a long descent to the restaurants and pie shops of Tatopani. Finish with a day of walking through villages that see more Nepali pilgrims than foreign tourists.
THE TREK
Day 1: Phedi to Toika
6-7 hours, 1030m ascent, 370m descent follow Day 1 of the Annapurna Sanctuary trek.
Day 2: Toika to Ghandruk
4-5 hours, 480m descent, 670m ascent Trek to Landruk. descend to the Modi Kiiob and climb to Ghandruk.
Day 3: Ghandruk to Tadapani
3- 4 hours, 720m ascent
Follow Day 2 of the Ghorapani to Ghandruk trek in reverse, and spend the night at Tadapani.
Day 4: Tadapani to Ghorapani
4- 5 hours, 710m descent, 550m ascent Make the long climb to Ghorapani and Poon Hill, following the Day 1 route description of the Ghorapani to Ghandruk trek in reverse.
Day 5: Ghorapani to Tatopani
5- 6 hours, 140m ascent, 1750m descent Make the long, steep descent to Tatopani, following the Day 3 description of the Jomsom trek.
Day 6: Tatopani to Beni
6- 7 hours, 470m descent
Follow the route along the Kali GanMla reverse described in the boxed text ‘Short Cut to Tatopani, and take a bus or taxi from Beni back to Pokhara.